2014 french quarter festival

The 2014 French Quarter Festival took place on a beautiful weekend... But it's been all rain and cold and work and traffic ever since.

Maybe you missed Gal Holiday belt out "That's How I Ride" because you were waiting in line for crawfish bread. Maybe you didn't catch Little Freddie King bang out "Cleo's Back" because you lost track of the time on the river, or ran to Gene's to get a daiquiri. Maybe you missed Dr. John because there were too many people! Or maybe you caught every act you intended to see, and now are twitching from FQF withdrawals (or shivering in the chill).

Fifty years ago the Beatles crossed over to America, and it seemed no one could unseat them from the top of the charts. But three girls from New Orleans' Calliope housing project did just that, edging out the Fab Four in 1964 to score a #1 Billboard hit.

The Dixie Cups' "Chapel of Love" featured the harmonies of sisters Barbara Ann and Rosa Lee Hawkins, along with their cousin Joan Marie Johnson. Though Hurricane Katrina took them from New Orleans, they’re back to play French Quarter Fest this Saturday at 2 p.m. This is the story of their enduring hit.

This week on Inside the Arts, the largest free music festival in the United States, French Quarter Fest, kicks off four days of Louisiana music, food and fun.

Then, across town, the Indian Arts Circle of New Orleans presents Trilogy, a concert of North Indian classical music with elements of jazz, co-sponsored by Loyola University College of Fine Arts, Montage Performance Series.

Over the course of 31 years, New Orleans' French Quarter Festival has grown from a small event to the largest free music festival in the United States. Along with Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, it's become one of the crown jewels in Louisiana's cultural economy.

On this week's Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin speaks with executive director Marci Schramm about the festival's growth and its plans for the future.

More than half a million people are expected at the 31st annual French Quarter Festival this weekend. They come from far and wide — and a few of them come not only to enjoy the music, but also to take it back home.

The lineup for the 2014 French Quarter Festival was announced Wednesday morning at a press conference in Jackson Square.

This year's Festival, billed by organizers as the "largest free music festival in the United States" features 188 musical acts over four days. This year's French Quarter Festival will take place April 10-13 on stages spread throughout the lower Quarter.

This is a preliminary schedule. A full schedule and lineup will be released in March.